Thursday, December 31, 2009

Michael Vick: Sportsmanship & Courage?

First of all, why did they choose this picture to accompany the article...?

"Recipients of this year's Ed Block Courage Award were announced Tuesday, and Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Michael Vick's name is still on the list.

Animal-rights advocates criticized the Eagles for choosing as its honoree a player who has served a prison sentence in connection with a dogfighting operation marked by the killing of canines. The award, named after a longtime Baltimore Colts trainer and humanitarian, seeks to honor players who "exemplify commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage." (source)

This recipients of this award are chosen solely by the teammates. Apparently Vick feels like he deserves it:

"I think it's pretty much self-explanatory why everybody voted for me," Vick said Wednesday. "I had to overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can handle or bear. Take a look at what I've been through and if you asked certain people to walk in my shoes, they probably couldn't do it. Probably 95 percent of the people in this world (couldn't do it)." (source)

I just don't get it. I mean, maybe if the award was for overcoming adversity...self-induced adversity at that. But courage? What's courageous about returning to a job that pays you millions to play a game? Sportsmanship? I'd wager his dogs would take issue with that...

Past honorees have done things that were courageous and worthy of emulation --Like fullback Cecil Martin, who had been homeless and is now and NFL star...

A local talk show host thinks this is a show of solidarity symbolizing that the players think he got a raw deal.